BlackBerry may (or may not) release PlayBook followup, someday

We haven't forgotten BlackBerry's brief and ill-fated foray into the tablet market, and apparently neither has the smartphone maker - but they won't launch a second attempt until they're damn good and ready.

Pocket-lint reported that BlackBerry appears to be in no particular rush to unleash another tablet device on unsuspecting consumers, with one executive claiming the company simply isn't ready yet.

BlackBerry's Vice-President of Global Product Management Francois Mahieu was in Barcelona this week for Mobile World Congress 2014, where he threw cold water on the idea of another PlayBook tablet right away.

"Would BlackBerry consider one day re-entering the tablet market? Yes. Will BlackBerry do it in the coming months? No," the executive told Pocket-lint.

'We're not ready'

The BlackBerry PlayBook launched nearly three years ago to mixed reviews and ultimately contributed to dragging down the company's fortunes as the unwanted tablets wound up being continually marked down to fire sale pricing.

Recovering from that folly is one of many challenges facing new BlackBerry Chief Executive Officer John Chen, but the onetime smartphone giant isn't completely closing the door on a potential sequel to its unloved tablet.

"I wouldn't be surprised if we have a meeting one day and I show you a tablet. We have equity in that space, but we're not ready. We need more time," Mahieu elaborated.

Judging from the way consumers largely turned their backs on the first PlayBook, BlackBerry's lackadaisical attitude toward the tablet market is probably a smart move, especially considering how many heavyweight names have already thrown their hats into that ring.